17. Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Blake
A J was right . The coffee shop had the typical barista counter, but the decor belonged in an old-fashioned saloon. The high top tables in the center looked like they belonged in a bar, not a coffee shop. Old photos, and new ones in black and white, decorated the walls along with shelves filled with old colorful bottles and cowboy hats.
Somehow, it worked, providing a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere.
“You remember Meg?” Jack asked.
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you, again,” I shook her offered hand.
“It’s nice to see you,” she said. “This is Emily, Jamie’s fiancé.”
By the time AJ came in, Jack had introduced me to Mary, John’s wife, Jack’s mother, and owner of Grannie’s, and Beth, Doug’s fiancé, Mary’s best friend, and café manager.
Talk about a small town. It seemed like everyone was related to, or married to, someone from Sheppard and Sons.
Before long, it was obvious these women were close. So, not only did I feel like an outsider intruding, but it reminded me of what I didn’t have—women in my life who loved or supported me the way these women did for each other.
My mom had, but I’d lost her after graduating from high school. And Paige used to, but lately she hasn’t been there for me.
I missed them both.
I plastered on a smile. Faking comfort in group settings was nothing new to me. If I could do it for an entire evening at one of Daddy’s parties, I could do it here for a few minutes. Then I could go hide in a corner and study.
When I sensed AJ standing near me, my shoulders relaxed, and it took less effort to smile. What’s that about? I told myself it was because he was my bodyguard and his presence meant safety. As much as I hated to admit it, I was getting used to him being around.
More than that, his presence comforted me. I’m more afraid than I care to admit .
When Meg invited me to sit with them, I sensed an energy shift. Had AJ asked them to come here? Was I some kind of charity chase? Was her invitation to make AJ happy?
Part of me wanted to decline the invitation, storm off and wallow in my anger at AJ for setting this up.
But I didn’t. Instead, I looked at each of the women. As far as I could tell, their invitation was genuine.
The other part appreciated the distraction, and if I was being completely honest with myself, it was thoughtful of AJ to think of it.
God only knows why AJ’s reassurance, they’d understand if I said no, made the decision easier, but it did.
I accepted the invitation. I could always say I had to study and escape if I was uncomfortable.
Except I wasn’t, and an hour flew by in the blink of an eye as I learned more about each of them. I loved how they all had their own careers, even if it surprised me. I assumed all alpha men were toxic and wanted their wives to stay home. The words ‘barefoot and pregnant’ crossed my mind. But I was clearly wrong. At least for this group .
When asked, I confessed I wasn’t seeing anyone. I didn’t miss Meg glancing at Jack and AJ with a devilish grin on her face. Must be an inside joke with Jack.
Mary excused herself to cover the counter during the shift change and came back with a plate of pastries a few minutes later. I loved baked treats but rarely ordered them, knowing they’d go straight to my hips and ass.
I compared my short, full figure with each of them. I shouldn’t have, but I did. Emily and Meg were both thin and fit. Mary and Beth weren’t as thin, but that made sense, they were older and had kids. My only excuse was bad genes and a carb craving. Priscilla, the queen of starving herself and Zumba, was always telling me I needed to eat less and work out more.
“What about us?” Jack asked as he approached our corner booth.
Mary raised an eyebrow.
“Right. I’ll just slink back to my table with my tail between my legs.” His words in complete opposition to the playful expression on his face.
“Nina, would you please be so kind as to give Jack and AJ a couple of cookies before they waste away to nothing?” Mary called over to the counter.
“Of course,” Nina said before asking. “What kind do you want?”
“I still can’t believe you poached Chase’s favorite babysitter,” Beth said with a grin.
“Hey!” Meg pretended offense.
“You’re his favorite aunt.” Beth soothed her.
“What did you expect after giving her a glowing recommendation and insisting I hire her?” Mary defended herself.
“Right, I did that, didn’t I?” Beth admitted. She turned to me and explained, “She’s paying her way through college and needed a new job. Her old boss was a bit handsy." She wiggled her hands. "And we needed a new barista.”
“Hiring her was a no-brainer,” Mary added. “And Chase still has my girls to watch him when Nina’s not available.” She beamed at Meg and Emily.
“I’m just happy I’ve graduated from Ms. Emily to Auntie Emily,” Emily added.
“Hopefully you two will claim the title mom soon, and give me some grandbabies,” Mary said as she pointed between Meg and Emily.
Meg and Emily looked at each other, shrugged, and said, “Someday.”
Beth and Mary got up occasionally to help in the café, but otherwise the conversation flowed without interruption. I opened up a little and told them about my mom.
My height and blue eyes came from her. She was the one who taught me to respect everyone and to work for what I wanted in life. She was the reason I’d worked so hard to earn scholarships, despite knowing my parents could afford my college tuition.
I’d loved her, and she’d loved me.
The complete opposite of my relationship with Priscilla.
“Well, not the complete opposite. We don’t hate each other,” I corrected myself. “We tend to avoid each other as much as possible; me ignoring her constant criticism and her ignoring my constant snark.” I didn’t tell them I frequently compared her to evil stepmom characters.
We kept talking, and before long, over two hours had passed.
Knowing my dad expected me home for dinner, and needing to do some homework before then, I reluctantly stood up and excused myself.
After a round of friendly goodbyes, AJ left to get the car. While Jack waited with me; Meg and Mary invited me to visit them any time I wanted.
I had a feeling I’d want to. Despite the early awkwardness, I now felt relaxed and rejuvenated. Time away from Dallas was exactly what I’d needed.
AJ must have told Jack I wanted to sit up front because he opened the passenger door. Then he put my backpack, the one he insisted on carrying for me, in the back seat. When I tried to argue, Meg told me not to bother, adding, “The guys all have old school gentlemanly manners.”
To which Mary said, glowing with pride, “Damn straight.”
It made more sense now; she’d raised her sons to be old-fashioned gentlemen. I remembered John giving off southern gentleman vibes, and it made sense for him to demand that behavior from his sons and employees.
I bet Mary rules the roost with an iron fist and a lot of love.
Grief washed over me. I miss my mom so much . I bet she and Mary would’ve liked each other.
Her loss had hit me hard. I was so lost in my grief, I almost quit college before my first semester. But my dad reminded me she wouldn’t want me to give up. He’d told me, “She wanted you to get your degree and do good in the world. You can honor her memory by going to school and making her proud.”
That was exactly what I did. I went to school, worked my ass off to get mostly A’s, and would graduate law school with honors in May.
“Did you have a good time?” AJ’s question brought me back to the present.
“I did.”
“Sorry I surprised you. I was afraid you’d ask me to bring you home if you knew.”
I probably would have. Probably? I one-hundred percent would have. “I was mad at first, but turns out, it was exactly what I needed.” After a pause, I turned towards him. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad.” AJ’s soft smile did weird things to my insides.
I squashed them. He wasn’t my type. Sure he was surprisingly sensitive and considerate. Don’t forget easy on the eyes . Like I could forget that tidbit of information with him sitting a few feet away. He smells good too . But he was rough around the edges, and nothing like the men I usually dated.
I felt heat flood my cheeks as I looked away.
“Is today the last day you’re stuck with me?” Somewhere in my mind I remembered John saying AJ would be with me for the first part of the week and then someone else would take over.
“I’m not stuck with you,” he answered. Something about the way he said it made me blush again. “But you’re stuck with me all week.”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile, softening his normally gruff features. He looks friendlier when he smiles .
Oh my God. How dare I think that? How many times had I been told I’d look prettier if I smiled? How many times had I wanted to punch someone for saying it? I’d never hit someone, but that didn’t mean I hadn’t thought about it.
I wasn’t as extreme as Danny, but I didn’t like violence and believed open communication could resolve most issues.
It was after five by the time AJ parked in the driveway.
“Jaden will relieve me at six,” AJ informed me as he walked me to the door.
“Okay.” I didn’t really care who’d be here since I wouldn’t be leaving the house again until tomorrow, when AJ picked me up for class. Why didn’t he have Jaden drive me home?
My head snapped up when I heard AJ’s voice. “Have a good night.” He handed me a business card. “My cell is on there. Call me if you need anything or if just want to talk.”
I didn’t think I would, but I took the card anyway. It was probably a good idea for me to have his phone number. Does he have mine ? Would he call me if I volunteered to give it to him? It didn’t matter; it wasn’t like I wanted us to be friends.
But he should have my number, just in case.
“Thanks. Should I give you mine?”
“I have it, and your father’s.” He grinned, showing off his dimples.
“Right, of course. Good night, AJ.”
“Good night, Blake.” I didn’t mind that he’d stopped calling me Ms. Davenport. Not one bit.